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My Name Is America
The Journal of Rufus Rowe: A Witness to the Battle of Fredericksburg, Bowling Green, Virginia, 1862
Acclaimed author Sid Hite brings the drama of the Civil War to life through the eyes of Rufus Rowe, a Confederate boy.
Sixteen-year-old Rufus Rowe runs away from home, to escape his cruel stepfather. He finds work and shelter in Fredericksburg, Virginia, just as the Rebel troops begin to amass in preparation for a confrontation with the Union Army. Rufus befriends several Confederate officers, who do not believe the Confederate army can be beaten, and sensitively observes and records the gripping battle that takes place there.
Sixteen-year-old Rufus Rowe runs away from home, to escape his cruel stepfather. He finds work and shelter in Fredericksburg, Virginia, just as the Rebel troops begin to amass in preparation for a confrontation with the Union Army. Rufus befriends several Confederate officers, who do not believe the Confederate army can be beaten, and sensitively observes and records the gripping battle that takes place there.
132 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2003
5 people are currently reading
442 people want to read
About the author
Sid Hite
23 books10 followers“For me, writing books for a living is a grand privilege. I often feel as if I've won some sort of prize.”
Sid grew up in a family of seven in the small town of Bowling Green, Virginia. Sid says that when he was young he “had more energy than brains.” And further states that he “[wishes] it was still that way.”
Sid discovered his passion for novels in his teenage years and decided right then and there to become a fiction writer. He says that he is grateful now that he didn't know how much work was involved in being a writer then.
After high school he traveled for several years through more than twenty countries. Upon returning to the U.S., he worked at several jobs, including farming, bartending, and construction, before his first novel was published. He feels that writing for a living is a privilege.
Sid was named a Publisher's Weekly “Flying Start” for his first novel, Dither Farm. He currently lives in upstate New York.
Sid is a decent amateur juggler.
Sid grew up in a family of seven in the small town of Bowling Green, Virginia. Sid says that when he was young he “had more energy than brains.” And further states that he “[wishes] it was still that way.”
Sid discovered his passion for novels in his teenage years and decided right then and there to become a fiction writer. He says that he is grateful now that he didn't know how much work was involved in being a writer then.
After high school he traveled for several years through more than twenty countries. Upon returning to the U.S., he worked at several jobs, including farming, bartending, and construction, before his first novel was published. He feels that writing for a living is a privilege.
Sid was named a Publisher's Weekly “Flying Start” for his first novel, Dither Farm. He currently lives in upstate New York.
Sid is a decent amateur juggler.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 4, 2018
This was a pretty good one. I liked Rufus, he had a lot of spunk. It was also interesting to see a southern point of view for the Civil War. I would suggest reading this, The Journal of James Edmond Pease, A Civil War Union Soldier: Virginia, 1863, I Thought My Soul Would Rise and Fly: The Diary of Patsy, a Freed Girl, Mars Bluff, South Carolina, 1865, A Picture of Freedom: The Diary of Clotee, a Slave Girl, Belmont Plantation, Virginia 1859, A Light in the Storm: The Civil War Diary of Amelia Martin, Fenwick Island, Delaware, 1861, When Will This Cruel War Be Over?: The Civil War Diary of Emma Simpson, Gordonsville, Virginia, 1864 and possibly the My America Virginia and Corey diary trilogies to get a bigger picture, though not complete. A great series to spark interest in history.
May 25, 2024
I mostly picked up this book in the interest of reading two more books this month and also trying to make sure I read everything on my shelf. Overall it was a fine book. It was well written but definitely a book for middle schoolers and that’s fine. Just not for me. But I read it in only a few hours so I guess that’s something lol
July 9, 2022
Nothing special compared to some other books in the series, but also not atrocious like the other Confederate-penned journal in the Dear America series.
December 6, 2012
The 1862/63 journal of 16-year-old Rufus Rowe. Rufus ran away from home and found a job in Fredericksburg just before the battle. He observed the Army or the Potomac set up camp across the river from Fredericksburg, where it stalled waiting for pontoons to cross. Meanwhile Lee’s army showed up and dug in. The Union lost the battle because of poor preparation and leadership from General Burnside. Rufus only witnessed the part of the battle on Marye’s hill, but that was the major part of the confrontation as the Union soldiers unsuccessfully charged the rock wall defenses five times and were slaughtered by the thousands for their trouble. Then days later, Rufus watched the debacle of the Union Army moving back and forth from Falmouth because of rain and indecision. Burnside was another general Lincoln was destined to fire for ineptitude.
November 12, 2012
This entire series is a wonderful way to learn history or teach it to adolescents. I find today's generations seem to recall more when they learn through other people (pop songs, celebrity gossip, etc.), so what better way to teach history than through someone else's perspective? Yes, "authentic" diaries would be "better", but would the language really hold the modern student's attention? Did the diary writer know what WOULD be important in the context of history? Probably not.
September 14, 2020
My first time reading anything in this popular, older historical fiction "journal" series, and I came away liking it more than I expected to. My 7 year old son and I read it aloud together, and as a real Battle of Fredericksburg self-appointed expert, he read it with an exacting attention to detail. We both felt that it accurately reflected the weeks of bewildered anticipation in Fredericksburg as Burnside waited for the arrival of pontoon boats, allowing Confederates enough time to prepare defenses on the high ground. The battle days themselves, however, suffered from vague descriptions and were missing the emotional impact of detailing what seem to be the two most famous elements of the battle: the stunning and tragic courage of the Irish Brigade and the carnage that resulted from their charge toward Marye's Heights, and the heroism of Richard Kirkland, the "angel of Marye's Heights". The journal included enough detail, however, to keep my 7 year old Civil War aficionado interested.
My 7 year old's reflection: "It was interesting because the journal made you feel like you were right there with Rufus. I wish he would have seen more, though. And I wish that he understood more about what the war was about, especially after he became friends with George, who was enslaved. He got better at understanding that George was a person just like him, but then he still seemed to root for the Confederate side."
My similar reflection: A critical read of this 17 years after its publication makes me wonder about the blank slate of the George character. He was important for how he helped Rufus, but he was never developed enough to have a real story, including an explanation for why he stayed at Brompton even though he could have left for freedom. There seemed to be an implication that enslavement was not so bad for George, and it troubled me throughout the reading.
For young readers interested in the Civil War, this is an interesting read. It needs some critical context for its depiction of slavery, however. I reserve broader judgment on the series until I read one from a different perspective.
My 7 year old's reflection: "It was interesting because the journal made you feel like you were right there with Rufus. I wish he would have seen more, though. And I wish that he understood more about what the war was about, especially after he became friends with George, who was enslaved. He got better at understanding that George was a person just like him, but then he still seemed to root for the Confederate side."
My similar reflection: A critical read of this 17 years after its publication makes me wonder about the blank slate of the George character. He was important for how he helped Rufus, but he was never developed enough to have a real story, including an explanation for why he stayed at Brompton even though he could have left for freedom. There seemed to be an implication that enslavement was not so bad for George, and it troubled me throughout the reading.
For young readers interested in the Civil War, this is an interesting read. It needs some critical context for its depiction of slavery, however. I reserve broader judgment on the series until I read one from a different perspective.
September 21, 2017
Another solid edition to this series and the last one I needed to read! It was one of my favorites, but I love Civil War history, so I'm a bit biased. A wonderful story for the young child in your life interested in history. Just to beware of the content since it is about a battle, though there weren't a lot of gruesomeness, there was a bit. Just something to be aware of. 5 out of 5 stars.
July 10, 2025
Such a good book. I'm not much for historical fiction but I couldn't put this one down. It was not a long story, but the way it was written made me feel like I was there with Rufus. I love this one line, "Maybe that's what war is. You lose when you lose and you lose when you win."
August 12, 2018
Bit short, but fun. Give more of an idea of the varied things the Civil War was about, rather than just abolition.
March 24, 2022
Not historically accurate to the town at the time. Disappointing.
June 1, 2025
Interesting journal of a teen boy who was an eyewitness to the battle of Fredricksburg Virginia in 1862. Much background information about the culture of the age and fashion of the times.
February 2, 2016
Rufus is sixteen but, because of a physical condition from when he was younger, is not able to join the Southern army. He has some troubles at home so goes to the relatively nearby town of Fredericksburg and ends up staying on a farm, befriending a black worker there. He goes into town and meets the Rebel soldiers who are there. The Union Army has gathered on the other side of the river from the town, and it seems a major fight is brewing.
Fortunately for the Southern forces, Robert E. Lee arrives along with other generals and troops. Burnside, the Union commander, has pulled the wonderous trick of having to cross a river and forgetting to bring along the pontoons needed to cross the same river. The Union Army thus has to stay on the other side of the river for days, giving the Southern forces time to entrench themselves and to gather their forces together.
Rufus is writing down all that he sees, especially as the attack commences. He notes the terrible amount of killing that goes on, with thousands of soldiers on each side dying. His own life is in danger as the battle rages.
The story gives the reader a good idea of how terrible the fighting was without, at the same time, making the story too gory for younger readers. As usual in this series, a historical section is included after the story, helping to put everything that happens into proper perspective.
Fortunately for the Southern forces, Robert E. Lee arrives along with other generals and troops. Burnside, the Union commander, has pulled the wonderous trick of having to cross a river and forgetting to bring along the pontoons needed to cross the same river. The Union Army thus has to stay on the other side of the river for days, giving the Southern forces time to entrench themselves and to gather their forces together.
Rufus is writing down all that he sees, especially as the attack commences. He notes the terrible amount of killing that goes on, with thousands of soldiers on each side dying. His own life is in danger as the battle rages.
The story gives the reader a good idea of how terrible the fighting was without, at the same time, making the story too gory for younger readers. As usual in this series, a historical section is included after the story, helping to put everything that happens into proper perspective.
January 19, 2016
The Journal of Rufus Rowe, A witness to the Battle of Fredericksburg by Sid Hite is about a sixteen-year old Confederate boy named Rufus. He runs away from home to get away from his step-father who is very cruel to him. He finds work in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The Confederate soldiers are gathering for a confrontation with the Union Army to fight for the town. Rufus joins the Confederate forces and not only fights but records what he see's at the battle. He witnesses a lot of death and begins to question the purpose of the war, especially with all the death around him.
My personal opinion of the book is that it's a good book. I like war stories, especially about the Civil War. The book had an interesting beginning and middle and finished with a slower end but still told a good story. The book is historical fiction; the facts are correct but the character never existed.
This book is intense. It's a little hard to keep up with but is a good book for kids who are into war stories and who like chapter books. This book is also good for kids who are fans of the "The Journal books." A good interesting read.
My personal opinion of the book is that it's a good book. I like war stories, especially about the Civil War. The book had an interesting beginning and middle and finished with a slower end but still told a good story. The book is historical fiction; the facts are correct but the character never existed.
This book is intense. It's a little hard to keep up with but is a good book for kids who are into war stories and who like chapter books. This book is also good for kids who are fans of the "The Journal books." A good interesting read.
January 9, 2012
I would get bored reading this at times. The thought of not continuing the book crossed my mind many times because it would be a bore. Though, it certainly did have a lot of good history in it.
I have to admit that I did skim through a lot of the book so my rate wouldn't be as accurate than the person that fully read the book. --Evelyn
I have to admit that I did skim through a lot of the book so my rate wouldn't be as accurate than the person that fully read the book. --Evelyn
February 22, 2015
Twin text: I would pair this book up with You Wouldn't want to be a Civil War Soldier! by Thomas Ratliff. The non-fiction book is full of facts and incredible illustrations. The Fiction book is part of the Dear America series, this book is written as if it is a diary which helps pull the reader into the story. In the back of the book it has a Historical Note that adds facts to the story.
March 12, 2010
I love Dear America books but this is my least favorite to date. It's a fine story but it just missing character development and "oomph." The main character, Rufus, makes friends with a slave and this could have been a much bigger point in the book.
August 2, 2009
Good view of historic events.
December 26, 2011
Once again, I'm not a big fan of war/battle stories.
March 12, 2012
Really Good. This Series is wonderful!
April 25, 2012
Not fabulous. Not terrible. Short and a little disappointing.
April 18, 2019
The story could have been a little longer, but it was a good snapshot story of one battle.
September 10, 2014
Good for young adults
April 9, 2017
This one wasn't as compelling as the others in the "Dear America" line and it reads a bit younger than some of the others in the series. I bought it for my classroom and read it to preview it since I wanted to see how gory the battle descriptions got, but there were hardly any battle descriptions other than to say that people died since the "witness" main character really didn't see anything.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews